Joliet cemetery under fire for cleaning up memorials

Elmhurst Cemetery apologized but explained there is a cleanup policy

JOLIET – The loved ones of those buried at Elmhurst Cemetery were upset over what they felt was a disrespectful act by a grounds crew that removed memorial items from graves.

But Elmhurst Cemetery responded on Sunday by explaining that it was its policy to clean up decorations at graves. In fact, the cemetery posted on its Facebook page a copy of “Cemetery Rules,” one of which states, “Trinkets, glass vases, candles, shepherds hooks, decorative stones or border edgings are prohibited and will be removed by cemetery personnel.”

[Wee Deb via Facebook]

Still, the Facebook statement did express regret over any “distress” the cleanup may have caused.
“It was certainly not our intention to upset anyone and our staff feels badly that we have disappointed you,” the statement read.
Still, The Herald-News received multiple messages and letters from upset individuals expressing their frustration. One person said he understood the need to maintain the graves, but he was upset with the way the grounds crew did it.

[Lisa LeFevers Lovelace via Facebook]

“But even if the cemetery chooses to justify their actions by pointing to posted rules that may very well be new to even frequent visitors, there is no excuse for the callous, heartbreaking way they chose to enforce these rules,” Al Soley of Minooka said in a letter to The Herald-News.
Photos readers sent appear to depict piles of mementos on the grounds. Elmhurst Cemetery acknowledged this was not the best way to go about the cleanup.

[Becky Mast via Facebook]

“Our grounds crew could’ve done a better job keeping the items laid out in a more orderly fashion during this time,” the Elmhurst Cemetery statement said. “While their performance in this area was far from perfect, their hearts and intentions were in the right place.”
The cemetery also explained that the reason the grounds crew removes such decorations is because they become unsightly after being there for a long time, and they could also be tripping hazards for visitors.

[Becky Mast via Facebook]

Clayton Mast's grave from a few months ago. The decorations were recently cleaned up by Elmhurst Cemetery grounds crew, which upset some of the loved ones of those buried.

[Becky Mast via Facebook]

One reader, Rick Davis of Joliet, complained he did not receive notice of the cleanup.
“We think that this was very wrong of the cemetery to do without contacting us family members first,” Davis wrote.
According to the cemetery, the cleanup also started last month. It explained that because they did not have the contact information for everyone who visits the cemetery, it put up a large sign with information regarding the policy on decorations near the entrance in June.

[Wee Deb via Facebook]

Soley, who said he has a friend buried at the cemetery, said he was satisfied with the explanation from Elmhurst Cemetery.
“In my own mind it’s a terrible situation the way they handled it,” Soley said. “But if they did all that, I’m satisfied that’s the most we can expect.”
Elmhurst Cemetery also said that if anyone had decorations or mementos they wanted back, they could visit the cemetery within the next week to recover the items.
“The cemetery staff will assist you in every way possible,” said the Elmhurst Cemetery statement. “We will continue to do our very best to care for and serve the families that have chosen Elmhurst Cemetery.”